ABSTRACT
Summary Initial studies on the characterization of tumor-specific antigens have been focused on CD8-mediated immune responses. However, it is now established that CD4 lymphocytes have a central role in the generation of effective immune response against tumors. Identification of tumor antigens recognized by CD4 T cells in an HLA class II restricted fashion, are indeed the subject of several research studies. In particular, the identification of CD4 epitopes encoded by genes of the MAGE family, will allow to perform clinical trials of vaccination with synthetic peptides corresponding to MAGE epitopes recognized by both CD8 and CD4 T cells. The additional use of peptides corresponding to the CD4 epitopes would increase the effectiveness of the current peptide-based vaccination strategy.
